Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Have you been through college only to find you just have no passion for the "speciality" you worked your buns off to get? Yes, I feel your pain..Meet "Kindergarten" teacher! I was given 7-8th grade Social Studies/Science...Two of the worst subjects- No-where near a darling 5 year old who will remember me as I taught them how to tie their shoe or read. The $21K per year in 1990 wasn't music to my ears, I wanted to move out- Be independent-I had wanted that since age 7 to be honest...:)

Questions Questions and More Questions for you!

Do you have the drive to make something happen no matter the challenge? Are you a leader and not follower?

If you have said YES YES YES...Watch this video- it's 22 minutes long I was told it's worth it...You have all asked of my career or this career in general. I give you 100% permission to download it share+ I know many watch us on Whose Wedding and sometimes email all of us...I try to answer the basic questions on my blog. Now that I am working on my own show and new partnership, which I CANNOT wait to share...I will be bloggin away!

First, I have to say, I LOVE your emails! You make me feel like "Superwoman" or "Wonder Woman" (she was hot!) when you share how you aspire to be where I am. I wish I could call every one of you and/or email back. This video will answer your questions I assure you. Your questions esp from WPatterson (Ha) are all the same you guys!

I am honest, the road to "this" level wasn't easy. It was lonely at times and still is I started from scratch, I had no idea about the east coast. I teach you what not to do, that's the honest "verbiage" to share my ROCKY start in NY/NJ/PA.

I thank you all for your patience during my craziness aka "Growth Spurts". We had some amazing classes this year! Everyone passed with flying colors-and I am happy we are expanding once again. Possibly to a larger facility not in Summit. Or I may keep Summit and expand more north...I have no idea!

For the month of December I have 1 week for a possible class, I cannot work with Jan as I am on tour. The dates I've shared with those who want the wedding planner certification course CP (Certified) The date of Dec 21 and 22 are possible openings...I have 21 students who have asked for the following-

1. Sales Personality Profiling (The course is 5 hours in length and does include lunch, snacks and more snacks etc) Fee: $500 Max 25 ppl. This is for any company in the event world, who may be ready to change the old, and get the new with less work...I have been asked about financial aid esp our Raritan students, the entire budget went towards Sandy for 2012. I hope you will agree, this is/was what was needed. In return, I will grant (2) 30 minute calls after the class to assist with any area of sales. Every company is different and this time is very valuable as it's you and I!

Ps...If you were a Sandy Victim, I will ensure you are able to take this course and if I need to waive the majority of the fee-so be it. I know you have enough on your plate, and I would not feel right taking from something you don't have. Please do not be ashamed to share this, we all want to help as much as we can. I am not going to add in a toaster if you sign today, but if you needed one, I would gladly hand it over. I don't play games like this. I take this career very seriously.

2. Event Design (Yes, FINALLY a hands on course for floral, tablescapes, lighting and more...) Fee includes all supplies, meals, and one on one workshops with your own designer from our team...This class is FABULOUS for those who are crafty and feel they can work with some decor and budget clients...I have a celebrity designer teaching with me- The class is 5 hours in length and fee is $500 It was originally $650. Pls disregard previous fee proposals-If you have put a deposit for this class you will all receive the same discount (We have already reached out to 7 students and this is now reflected on your deposit, if you did not receive your receipt or email confirmation, please email us). When you have completed the course and test (same day) you will also receive your certificate. Of course I have wine, chocolate and food- We have to celebrate every milestone!

3. Beginning a career as an Event Planner...This course is 2 full days and they are not together- The dates we are looking at based on the wait list and max of 12 students (I do apologise for this, I think 12 is my own max and do not feel more would be fair to those who need more hands on),
Dates: Dec 22nd (Summit NJ Location) 10:30am-4pm...You will have holiday break as we are the same with Raritan and WPatterson referrals...We will complete the 2nd day Jan 5th 11am-4pm.

3a. The course "Beginning a Blissful Career" will have a mandatory amount 15 intern hours needed to graduate 1 of 3 main objectives. If you are a Raritan CC Student, pls ask for the lab time worksheet (CEU)...We cannot use the ones we offer for our students attending our specific school. You will need this for credit. Rutger's is also another CC which will have a mandatory time-log based on "their" specific criteria. I have this info should you need it.

Intern hours generally happen during the week, and we can work with you on evenings w/ misc clients and or daytime for our clients whom are in school, but are due to be wed! (How crazy right?) They most likely will have the day off to meet with vendors or see their "reveal". You will LOVE this portion, it's what a designer lives for! Finally we can show them their vision-It's delightful, it truly is! The weekends will most certainly be for weddings you observe and partake in.

3b. Intern Hours: You will be trained on making/accepting incoming calls, setting proper appts with vendors/clients, research for specific items that are applicable for the client you are assigned to work with. This is not limited to taking new client info from our new inquiring brides to be!

You will also be "present" during actual appts as well as meeting with the same client on more than 1 occasion. You will also be trained with percentages of budgets, how to develop a "Bridal Blueprint" and allow for the client to distribute their budgets appropriately.

This particular focus and training will be the last portion of the class. Each student will be planning portions of a specific wedding. You will all be working with various clients/vendors prior to the day of, rehearsal if applicable and the day of the event.

Who determines your fate? Your client aka "The Bride". She is the final sign off of the CP certification. Please keep in mind, I am not looking for perfection, nor are they...We look for consistency with-in the industry and monitoring how adaptable you are when not with senior staff present. They will have a specific questionnaire and will seek nothing more than the skills you have learned. Brides if you are interested in helping an intern, we will share rates that allow for 1-2 students and a senior wedding planner a very discounted rate in return for your patience and cooperation with their duties and the sign off...Pls inquire.

We don't put the "cart before the horse" or throw you in a melting pot with a stressed bride...We ensure that the main areas of focus are met. The feedback we have received is great thus far and while it may not always be 100% perfect, that is OK. You do not want to claim you are perfect in the world of celebrations, your human, humans make mistakes. We learn from them, and we ensure the same issues do not occur again. We replace the mistake or mishap with something positive.

Skill-set and specifics I tend to look for are very similar to many online courses and/or business courses at the associates level or wedding certification programs. If I have been in the industry for over 23 years, you have to trust, this is the best way to learn. Hands on is great, you just need to ensure what you have your "hands on" is in-line with what you will need to master this career long term.

If you feel you want to invest more than the 15 hours required as an intern ( This is a frequent ask), you are most welcome to join us observe, multi task and more. Once you have reached the 15 hours which is the prerequisite for my course and many other CC-Accredited programs, you will not have the liberty using the coverage for extra credit. We are truly sorry but the extra hours cannot be converted to credit esp for any college in NJ/NY/PA. This is also applicable for Skype sessions, our specific classes (decor etc)/courses and or conference calls.

Fee: Raritan CC, Rutgers, WPatterson, Penn Foster students receive 20% off the wedding planning certification program. You will need to show us valid proof (School ID, Statement of tuition etc) that you are indeed still a student of the colleges listed above.

Includes all paperwork, tools, USB Keys, "Bridal Emergency Kits" on Wheels" (It's my most popular request, it's filled with every item you will need to solve any mishaps, hemming, headaches, and a small booklet of fast solutions for damaged floral, bridal gowns and dirt, oil+) You will have a choice of color and this will be given to you once you have that fabulous certificate in hand and giving me the honor of signing it. I want to remember the day you started as a CP!

GROUP PHOTO OPP! CLICK!

*Bridal Kit on Wheels-you may opt to sign-up for this course without the kit, if you should decide after the course you would like to purchase one- we will still honor the same price. You save $100. It's based on availability as we know you guys want it right after the end of the class! The more we order the more of a discount they extend to us. In August, we were given 3 free bags so as a team everyone had a $38.00 savings!

Our programs also include meals, parking and any applicable tools needed for the weddingplanning certification that you sign up for. If hotel stays are needed, I have preferential rates that will not be a huge expense at all. Remember, I refer clients to many hotels and in return they are sometimes very generous in offering competed rooms or a family rate.
This is also applicable for flight, bus, train etc..Pls inquire when you sign for the course and after you have received the green light of this class being applicable for you. If you are advanced, this would not be a wise investment unless you have been out of this career for a period of time and need that refresher and "update"- I think we all need refresher courses! I learn from my students every single class I teach. I pass it along to the next group!

OK fabulous planners in works! The dates are not set in stone and it's first come/first service- We do have a waiting list as we had cancelled our Oct class due to Sandy. This date may not work for some, please let us know your Jan (First week only as I am on tour) schedule ladies if that works best. Sundays, which you know I treasure, if that is what works esp for our Oct Plannies...I will absolutely make it happen.

Thank you again for being so patient! Email info@samanthagoldberg.com (908-219-4028) we will email the application for the course and start the process!! Pls make note, not all students will be approved for Dec offerings, it's based on skillset and the majority of those already signed. We will certainly start a roster for those who might require something a bit more substantial...I don't want to waste your time with basics if your past this portion of your career and/or the majority of the students are entry level.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

I am sure for those who follow my blog outside the US, you were shown some very sensitive and disturbing photos and footage of our most recent nightmare.

I am not even sure if the word "nightmare" even gives it justice. I was so happy to hear how quickly America especially on the east coast was onto a way to help those who lost everything. It's easy to tell someone who may be robbed of items in their home, it's going to be OK. However, what is it like to not only have items taken away, but have mother nature to blame.?

I watched footage and it was cold, lifeless and sad. I cried watching those who just looked clueless- where do you start when you have 30-50-++ years gone? Where does one begin when their favorite socks, chair, or even something as simple as a coffee mug that their son or daughter made for them just disappears? These items were taken away and no answers on how to bring these very inexpensive yet priceless items back?

I watched a woman show us where her home WAS- not even an ounce of it's structure left...Not a tangible memory uncovered..Until she found one of her treasures...A photo of her mom and dad that had passed...It was their wedding photo and the only one she ever had. She questioned "where is my home"? It wasn't there. It was gone. It's not coming back. I wanted to jump through the TV and hug her, share warmth from my heart and allow for her to feel she has support...This is just one person and there are so many more...I feel so empty for all affected.

I want to bring back all of those memories for each and every person who suffered more than some damage as I know others who lost it all. I know I cannot grant that wish. It reminds me of times that occurred before I was born. It reminded me of pictures in black and white such as the concentration camps during the Holocaust. I don't think I am exaggerating- I think these people feel like something died...and I agree, it did. So what happens? What if their home was all they had? What if they have no friends or family and now, no home? What happens to these people?

I always question assistance during emergencies and wonder why they have chosen the methods to save others in a time of need. I wonder if the money we donate goes directly to those in need. I assure you, it doesn't. It costs money to hire trucks, gas, flight etc..so what percentage really goes to the people and their specific needs? Is it like a 3 world country that allows 30% for those in need and 70% for the government? I cannot believe I am thinking these things, I cannot help but wonder.

It occurred to me during the days we watched life unveil like a horrible movie- The proper format of help has not been mastered... Maybe, assistance such as that of an event planner and many of them would be more efficient than just the emergency crews. I am not saying that they should not be shown much gratitude, but seriously, based on what we know of the world, donated funds and more...we are certainly smart enough to know how to divide and conquer.

Ladies and Gentlemen shouldn't we be doing more? I wonder during the power outages who spent their entire battery or access to wireless looking for connections to get to an area where they had been forgotten...They had nothing- and no one could get in or out...I was grateful to connect with new friends on Twitter who reached out allowing me to try and help...and I hope I had some impact...The good news, was one Tweeter" shared a message from a friend he could not find for days...She said she was OK. She shared in broken format, what it was like...asking for help, not sure what that help looked like....Again, I thought to myself, if we orchestrate events, we too are our own "Red Cross"...In white of course....

Why don't counties in the tri-state have breakdowns in advance to decide where money goes esp for those who don't have the usual lives as most have...Such as someone whom might be diabetic, needing gluten free items or issues such as myself, Hypokelemia, where you don't know the means to find what nutrients you lack now with limited means. If I did not have my treatments via a port, what life would be like.

For me, there would be no life at all...I would not be here speaking to you about my deepest thoughts. Because I would be like them, not knowing I need these items.

I cannot complain of my issues when I know others out there have these issues and the thousands of homes with at least 1 of 100 could be suffering and not know it.

I have to think to myself during these times what is more of the priority, me selling more clients for my staff etc, or taking me to the problem to work on changing the areas I see as being a necessity.
Not all of us think this way, I do.

I was happy to hear The Knot and various other parts of our world have rallied to raise funds, yet, I cannot help but wonder of the many people and portals etc is it genuinely for personal gain for name recognition? I saw this last week on a wedding planners website claiming she would give a percentage of her "Get Rich Quick" programs to the relief stations. She did not specify whom these funds were going to, or how much, she did say she would reveal the info and whom the $$ was given to later.. shall it be asked ONLY after they have given signed on etc..

I only have one word, YOU SUCK. Yes, Sassi-Me, took out the cub teeth and exchanged them for fangs and went at it...She did not respond to my postings and emails. BUT she quickly rectified the question of ethics and shared one location of a place in LI where one can get help. She also said that if anyone needed money, she would help...So based on that particular offer, ( I have copied it for safe keeping), here is the "Most Generous" offer, I hope if you have financial issues due to this, you take her up on her offer...Yet just hours later she is sharing how "eeery" the destruction was and then sharing a scarf she liked...WTF is that? Why do we say it's OK to behave in this manner?

Well, instead, a really thoughtless person saw my posting and said I was ranting? Who in their right mind would call my trying to save those who were not as affected, yet could be suckered as what others recently experienced but for those who have been living check to check and some have no checks. I wanted to BITCH SLAP her and say, rid the thoughts of your selfish actions you piece of lower than the ground garbage...BUT, I was the better person and decided to share it here...

Here's a video of how the "Get Rich Planner/Money Coach" promotes our world speaking of our brides like they are lunch meat..Making promises of what brides will give in return...Money in the air, a new family, a new mansion I am sick- Truly. What I have learned since seeing this, was beyond what I ever imagined to find...and I cannot digest it.

Regardless of those who decide not to do much but sit and comment, feel badly for those who have to start life over-I am going to figure a way, to find a better system, a better format for funding and how it's distributed. I have decided not to take on more clients this month. I would rather spend time trying to assist with what I have, I know many do not have the same luxuries as I to close for a month or 2- I am beyond grateful. Esp because I have clients from years ago who just recently had children, I just received the notice and now, the most important part of my career is in need..and not for a new wedding. It's their family.

I had hoped to start my own line of clothes and fabulous finds....I have them ready to go- Instead, I am going to rid them all, pay for what it cost to make them and give a nice percentage of my dream back to those who invested in me..I don't know what that looks like. I do know, I will ask permission to use their name prior to my sale. Meaning a charity not taking any percentage of what we give. They may be a public 501c3, but I will ensure, that what we give, is at minimum 95% to areas "MOST" in need...

I ask those whom also brand, design and more...send items my way...I will sell them, and give the funding to a representative of the charity on site. That is generally how we donate properly Representation of a prominent person or volunteer of such appointed to be that person. I am seeking venues and ask that you join me if you'd like. I have basically 2 weeks to do this, I am sure if I cannot collaborate in this time, when I return from a seminar, I can then begin my "Mission Event" to assist not only brides, but something much more important than a dress or bling..Sorry guys, I don't see myself donating to weddings right now...I do have a nonprofit for this, so I am taking another angle...I do wish for those who have made it past the altar to donate gowns and more..There are many planners etc who have collaborated on that particular focus.

It's easy to focus on getting rich quick...I think we as Americans and outside the US are most savvy of what's needed. I plead for those who have this method to not ask people or play on their heartstrings to give money they don't have in hopes they too can have that pretty home.

I ask that anyone in the US who is interested in donating items, new, and that the money will be given and divided based on the need and area...

I ask if anyone is in the Central/Northern/ Jersey area to please find venues to host these events..I need planners, I need the most anal of organizers...I am one voice, I can sit and donate all day, but it wont' allow for me to answer the question...

Where did it go? How much? How Fast?

If I cannot rally those who can offer this, I will do what I know best, that is to sell my dream to help rebuild someones world in some fashion...it has to be better than nothing at all...

I devote my time to ensuring our clients recieve fab service. There's another "calling" for me. To give back to my peers that aspire to be the next "best" fancy pants somebody! Those who play it safe standing behind me, will fail. I do serve as a warning to others and yes, I'm nutty. It's who I am & it's not going to change, as it works. Feel free to comment & join me on what could be the best road trip EVER!